Author: admin

April 2, 2020

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”  (Matthew 13:23)

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”   (Luke 8:15)

When I was in high school I took four years of vocational agriculture in which I learned many practical skills.  One of the things I learned was how to evaluate different types of soil.  Our teacher would take us to different locations in the county that had differing soil types and depth.  We would dig a hole and then he would explain the characteristics of the different soil types.  I still remember how to take a clod of soil and break it into smaller pieces to look for the evidence of clay, sand, etc.  We did not determine the soil type by evaluating the productivity or health of past or existing crops but were trying to predict how the soil type would affect its ability to produce a crop.  Based on our evaluation sometimes we would classify the land as only good for wildlife due to shallow and rocky soil and others as good for rangeland or for planting crops.

Jesus, who created the entire cosmos and all that is in it including the soil, told a parable to his disciples about the characteristics of different types of soil and its ability to produce a crop.  He told them that only what he called good soil would produce an abundant crop.  So what is the characteristics of good soil?  The scriptures above tell us that he explained that what he was really talking about is the condition of our hearts.  What will be the result of his words when he sows them onto humanity?  Those who he called good soil are those who have a good and noble heart and when they hear his words they understand them, retain them and by perseverance produce an abundant harvest.

It seems to me that I have a choice as to what type of soil that I will be.  God my Father has given me the ability to hear his voice but it is my choice as to whether I will gain understanding from him and then persevere in faith to see it produce a harvest.

We tend to fear what we cannot control and predict.  We cannot control the effect of the present worldwide coronavirus pandemic.  Our best efforts may limit its effects but we cannot control it. 

Several years ago when my first wife was dying due to a recurrence of breast cancer we held onto the words that God our Father had spoken to us such as “He keeps in perfect peace those who are steadfast in him”.  Even though we could not control the cancer in her body or predict its outcome we were at peace because of our Father’s love for us because “perfect love cast out all fear”.  People would ask us what we thought would be the outcome and I learned to say “We do not speculate on what we do not know but rather focus on what we do know, that God is good and that his love endures forever and that never will he leave us or forsake us”.  She ultimately died but the word of God spoken to me during that time is still producing an abundant harvest because I preserved by faith that God cannot lie and that he will honor his word.

What has God spoken to you? Will you join me in listening to his voice, understanding what he speaks, retain it and then persevere by faith to see it produce a harvest?  God our Father is good and his love endures forever. 

Blessings,

Kevin

“The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?  It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.  Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.””  Luke 12:42-44 

A steward is someone who has been given charge over someone else’s wealth.  The wealth may include possessions, financial resources and physical resources such as employees of the owner.  The owner entrusts the steward with the care and keeping of whatever the wealth is with the expectation that the steward will do so in a manner that the wealth will increase. 

Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;….”.  God our Father is the owner of the entire cosmos and everything in it because “he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters” (Psalms 24:2) when he spoke it into existence.  Adam and Eve were given stewardship over the earth and everything in it when God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”  (Genesis 1:28)

We are the present day stewards of the earth and this includes that we are to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  (Philippians 2:3-4)  

We are living through events associated with the coronavirus pandemic that is unlike anything I have experienced in my lifetime.  I am both encouraged by how people are helping one another but also disappointed by stories of people looking after only their own interests.  However, I must admit that at times I find that my own thoughts are more along the lines of looking after my own interest.  Thankfully, the Holy Spirit gives me the “holy bother” when this occurs.  But it is still my choice as to whether I will take those thoughts captive and replace them with “what is whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable (Philippians 4:8)   May we be faithful and wise stewards of what God our Father has given us and to look after the interest of others as well as ourselves.

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.  At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:1-8

Blessings,

Kevin

March 15, 2020

 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.  For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.  John 5:19-20 

One of the joys of living in Central Texas is that there is something in bloom every month of the year.  During the winter I make an effort to look for things that bloom in February and March as signs that spring is coming.  Some of the early bloomers are trees and plants that I only notice when they are in bloom. The rest of the year they just blend into the landscape. I eagerly look forward to seeing and celebrating the goodness of God in creation as I spot the first flowering quince bush, red bud tree, various wildflowers and wisteria bushes. 

We have three red bud trees that are planted underneath the branches of an enormous red oak tree in the front yard of our home.  It saddened me last summer when I realized that one of the red bud trees was dying due to damage from sort of boring insects.  In hope that it might recover I waited till this last week before I finally decided to cut it down.  I no longer have much need for a chain saw and since the tree was not large I decided to cut it down with only a hand tree saw rather than borrowing a chain saw. 

You may be wondering what all this has to do with the scripture at the beginning of this note.  Growing up, I worked with my father at whatever he was doing and learned a lot from him about how to do basic tasks in everyday life.  This included trimming and removing trees.  I do not remember knowing anyone who owned a chain saw but Daddy had a two man cross cut hand saw and a variety of other wood cutting saws, axes, grubbing hoes, etc.  He taught me how to use them as we would persevere through the sometimes hard work of removing a tree. Memories came back to me of working with Daddy as I began to remove the braches from the tree and eventually tackling the final task of cutting the trunk flush with the ground with the pruning saw.  His efforts of teaching me as a child were still bearing fruit in me, his son, many years after he passed from this life. It is the same with God our Father.  He delights in showing us what he is doing and desires for us to join with him in his work as he teaches us how to accomplish whatever task is before us.  He is a good father and he takes delight in his children.   May you rest in his loving-kindness, goodness and provision for you today.

Blessings,

Kevin

 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 

Each of us is uniquely, wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God.  Being made in the image of God includes the ability to use our minds to think, reason, conceive or imagine what does not exist and to speak our thoughts so that we may share them with other people.  If our imagination comes from being made in God’s image then it leads me to believe that God himself has an imagination.  He uses his mind to conceive or imagine what he desires and then as Romans 4:17 states, “he calls into being things that do not yet exist.”   

At the very core of his being, God is good and he is love.  We have the ability and opportunity to use our imagination to think about and imagine what the goodness and love of God our Father will look like in a situation or what the lack of his goodness or love will look like.  In him there is no lack of goodness or love and he is inviting us into thinking about and declaring his goodness and love over every situation where there is a lack of goodness.   1 Corinthians 2:9-10 states, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”– the things God has prepared for those who love him– these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

It takes no faith to imagine what a lack of God’s goodness looks like.  If I do not stay focused on the eternal truth that God is good and that his love endures forever, then when faced with relational, health, financial or any other problems… I can easily begin to be fearful.  This can then lead to imagining and living out an illogical and irrational world separate from the goodness and love of God.  Proverbs 10:24 states in part, “What the wicked dread will overtake them.” However, this verse goes on to state, “What the righteous desire will be granted.”   It takes self-discipline and faith in God’s nature to declare his goodness when faced with situations that scream at me “if God is good and he really loves you then you would not be in this hard place facing an impossible situation.”

In the last 15 years I have faced multiple seemingly impossible situations which include the death of my first wife, open heart surgery, cancer and the death of my oldest son.  In each of these situations God my Father showed me his goodness and love and sustained me through those very difficult times.  If you know me well you have heard me repeatedly declare “that God is good and his love endures forever and never will he leave me or forsake me.”

I dare to say that it is impossible to overestimate the goodness and love of God and that he wants us to imagine his goodness being manifested in every situation we face.  Please join me in believing the word of God from Ephesians 3:20 which states that he “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Blessings,

Kevin

January 30, 2020

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 

I grew up in a farming community in a family of farmers.  Most of the county roads in the rural areas were either dirt or at best topped with caliche.  Unlike today, this was during a time when very few people had four drive vehicles. Therefore, driving on these roads after a heavy rain or melting snow was quite a challenge.    I knew families who lived several miles from a paved road who would park a tractor at the paved road during extended rainy spells just to drag their vehicles back and forth to their homes. 

The first vehicle to go down a muddy road would leave deep ruts.  Any vehicles coming after the first one did not have much choice other than to steer their vehicle into the ruts and follow the same path.  Once you were in the ruts it was very difficult to steer your vehicle to take another path.

I am made in God’s image and therefore have the ability to choose what I think about with my mind.  However, my mind and brain work in a similar way to trying to driving down a muddy road.  My brain will respond to what I am thinking with my mind.  The more I think about something the deeper I create “ruts” in my brain.  Once these ruts of thinking patterns are developed it is very difficult to not follow those thinking patterns.  Some of those thinking patterns produce good fruit but others can produce bad fruit that is harmful to me and others that I interact with.

Many of our thinking patterns are the result of the family and society environment that we grew up in and are somewhat due to what we heard and observed other people say and do.  However, many other thinking patterns developed in our brains because we choose to think about those things.  I was exposed to pornography as a young boy not by my choice, but I did choose to dwell upon what I saw and read.  Eventually those thoughts became thought patterns in my brain that my body and emotions would automatically respond to.  For many years I was a slave in my mind to sexual immorality and lust because I chose to think about such things.  Even if I tried to not think about those things something would trigger the thoughts and down the muddy ruts I would go. 

That all changed when I met Jesus.  He gave me a new heart and a new spirit and the ability to take captive every thought that stands against the knowledge of who he is and who I am in him!  However, it was not easy just like it is not easy to break free of the ruts on a muddy road.  It takes time for the road to dry out and then hard work to fill in the ruts and grade the road so that it will drain properly.  Likewise I had to choose to fill in the ruts and grade the road of my mind by following Philippians 4:8 which states, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”   Eventually new thought patterns were developed in my mind and brain and I was completely free from the power of pornography.  But that was only the beginning of the process of the Holy Spirit showing me other thought patterns in my mind that were standing against the knowledge of who Jesus is in me.  I find that now I struggle more with thought patterns that were formed in my youth that include racial prejudice and contempt for people who are not like me in some form or fashion.  I know these thought patterns are wrong and I hate them.  However, just like the hard work that was required to fill in the ruts and regrade my mind to be free from pornography, I have to take captive every thought and bring them into captivity by the power of the Holy Spirit and then chose to exercise the mind of Christ Jesus that he has given me.  Deuteronomy 30:19 states, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”   Will you join me in choosing life and not death by the renewing of our minds?

Blessings,

Kevin

January 14, 2020

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I have recently been realizing how much I limit myself because of fear. We were created in the image of God, who is love, to be loved by him and then love others. However, I cannot live in his love or love others when my heart is fearful. A very practical example is thinking and saying “I cannot do this or that but I wish I could” such as being creative in cooking, learning to play guitar, etc.

Jesus, through whom the whole universe was created, lives in me and I in him and he is neither fearful or lacking in any gifting or skill needed for daily life. After a rather good time of sitting with Jesus this morning I was a little unsettled. It seemed that I needed to do something by faith that fear had hindered me in before. Later I remembered an oak kitchen table chair that had needed repair of a split in the seat for over 6 years. I never felt the confidence to tackle the repair so it has been in our garage or storage building all those years.

Today I had the confidence to tackle the repair. At first I was a little anxious as I thought about how to proceed. But then creative thoughts began to come to me on how to disassemble, glue & clamp and eventually reinforce to seat. It was a great joy to get it to the point shown in the photo after I applied glue and clamped it tight.

The creative solution and confidence came from my time of fellowship with Jesus this morning. The fellowship continued in the work as he showed me what to do which brought me joy and a sense of well-being. His desire was fellowship not just showing me how to repair the chair but the chair is now well into the process of being repaired as a result.

Our Father is good and his love endures forever. He desires to show us his goodness in everything we encounter.

Blessings,

Kevin

December 22, 2019

I have many precious memories that are associated with this chair. We bought it shortly after the birth of my oldest child. The chair was specifically made to fit my body height including head to seat, seat to knee and knee to foot distances. Many times I held all four of my children in this chair, read stories to them and took naps with them. As they grew a little older they would stand behind me while I reclined and they would comb, brush, curl, etc. my hair. (I had more hair then!) I treasure all of those times and memories. This truly is Daddy’s chair.

For many years I have gotten up early in the morning to have time alone to sit with God my Father. He once told me “Meet with me daily, give ear and listen, come and eat of the richest of fair that your soul may live.” Over the years the place I would sit varied based upon life circumstances such as having children in the house. However, in the last few years the place that I sit is in my chair.

As I rose from my time alone with my Father this morning I turned towards my chair and saw the “Daddy’s Chair” doilie that has been on my chair for many years and was struck with the thought of, “this really is Daddy’s chair”. Jesus called God our Father, “Abba”, which is a term of endearment for a father much like Daddy or Poppa. Taking Jesus’ lead I too refer to God my Father as Abba and sometimes Poppa. In the same way that I would sit with my children in this chair, my Abba, sits with me each day in this chair. He has been with me in times of great joy and great sorrow and has promised to never leave me or forsake me.

As we near the time of year that we celebrate the birth of Jesus I am reminded that Jesus came to reveal to us the true nature of his Abba. Hebrews 11:6 states, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” John 1:11-14 states, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Do you know Jesus and his Abba? If not just begin to believe that God exists and that he will reward you when you seek to know him. The reward is the giving of himself to you, to know him intimately and to rely upon him for every need. All his thoughts about you are for your good and he has plans to prosper you and not harm you. He is good and his love endures forever! He desires to do immeasurably more than you can imagine or ask for. Create a space in your heart and schedule to meet with him daily and you will be richly rewarded.

Blessings,

Kevin

August 22, 2019

““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”” Luke 4:18-21

Authority is the right to do something and power is the ability to do something. Authority is conveyed from a source of authority by agreement with that source of authority. My agreement allows that source to have access to my heart which is the wellspring of my life.

God gave Adam authority over the entire creation in order to rule over over it. However, Adam gave up that authority to Satan when he believed and agreed with the lies Satan told him. This resulted in great toil and hardship for all of mankind.

Jesus triumphed over, disarmed and made a public spectacle of Satan and every other lying and deceiving spirit by his death and resurrection. Our Father raised him up and seated him with him in the heavenly realm where he has been given all authority in heaven and earth. But that was not enough. He also raised us up with Jesus and seated us with him as co-heirs where we now rule and reign under the authority of Jesus. In his authority and power we may demolish the strongholds of Satan that control the minds of people who have agreed with his lies.

May I believe Jesus and not re-arm Satan by believing his lies today.

Blessings,

Kevin

September 25, 2019

“Jesus calls us to a change in the way we see, his Father first, then ourselves and others, until we believe what he believes…..Without Jesus you would only have what you do and do not see—imprisoned by your feelings, or the lack of them, lost in your head. As we discover Jesus in us, we are given a way to change our minds and our feelings. With our Amen to Jesus comes freedom to live from his ‘I Am’ in our hearts. Living from Jesus’ faith, from his ‘I Am’ gives us confidence to turn toward our Father. When we see the Father through Jesus’ eyes we experience life—- eternal life” (a quote from the book Patmos by C. Baxter Kruger)

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col 1:25-27

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:18-20

Blessings,

Kevin

November 27, 2019

“But he answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?’ ‘How many loaves do you have?‘ he asked. ‘Go and see.‘“ Mark 6:37-38

What difficult situation will I face today where it seems that I do not have what it takes? Jesus’ answer is “Go and see what you have and then offer it with thanksgiving to our Father knowing it is less than the need you are facing and then see him multiply it”.

God our Father is the God who sees our need and then acts to meet those needs. May I offer what I have in my hands. May I offer the mustard seed I have of faith, hope, love, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control that he has already given me and then see him multiply it to meet the needs before me.

Blessings,

Kevin